Universal connector for electric wires



Feb. 27, 1962 1 j INVENTOR.

I John G. Pa/SZ 4 BY/Q United States Patent Filed Sept. 21, 1959, Ser. No. 841,075 2 Claims. (Cl. 339-31) This invention relates to electrical equipment, and particularly to a connector designed for use on an electric line pole for releasably connecting one cable or wire to another, such as the pole-mounted cable to the adjacent end of the drop-off wire leading to a transformer or other equipment.

The major object of this invention is to provide a connector for the purpose so constructed that cables or wires of varying sizes relative to each other can be easily and quickly connected together, without any changes in construction or of any part of the connector being required, and so that a tight electrical connection is assured at all times.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a universal connector for electric wires which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable universal connector for electric wires, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the improved connector, showing the same as in use and mounted on a polemounted arm projecting from a conventional insulator stack.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a similar view, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1, but showing a smaller wire as engaged by the clamping block of the connector.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the connector, taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the connector comprises a fiat base 1 which, on one side and adjacent one end, is formed with a laterally projecting clamp 2 in the form of a split sleeve shaped to embrace and grip a supporting member, here shown as being a switch arm 3 projecting from one end of a conventional pole-mounted insulator stack, indicated generally at 4.

Projecting from and formed with said one end of the base at a level relative thereto such as not to project above the base, is a socket 5 in which one end of an arm-supported cable 6 is soldered or otherwise secured. The socket 5 is preferably laterally offset relative to the central longitudinal plane of the base on the same side as the clamp 2 so that the weight of the socket and the adjacent portion of the cable 6 is kept close to the clamp 2.

Superimposed on the base intermediate its ends is a clamping block 7, of square form in a plane transversely of the base, having a substantially semi-circular saddle groove 8 in each side extending lengthwise of and parallel 3,023,391 .Fatented Feb. 27, 1962 to the base and socket 5 centrally of the width of such side. These grooves are all of different sizes or diameters, as shown, each one being proportioned to substantially fit over wires or cables 9 of various and standard diameters.

Centrally between its ends the block is formed with a continuous groove 10, of semi-circular form in section, to engage a U-bolt 11, the legs 12 of which project through holes 13 in the base. The legs have nuts 14 threaded onto their lower ends below and engaging the base. The groove 10 is of course of circular form at the bottom, and fits the upper portion of the U-bolt 11, which is of semi-circular form.

To clamp a cable or wire 9 to the connector, the nuts 14 are first loosened so that the U-bolt 11 may be raised relative to the base sufiiciently to enable the block 7 to be turned, while still being confined against movement lengthwise of the base and remaining engaged with the U-bolt 11. The block is then turned so as to dispose that certain one of the slots 8 in facing relation to the base which will fit the particular cable or wire 9 to be connected.

The end portion of a cable 9, such as shown in FIG. 2, is then laid on the base 1 from the end thereof opposite the socket 5 and projected under the block 7. Following this, the block is lowered until the adjacent saddle groove 8 seats on said cable, and the nuts 14 are then advanced to pull the U-bolt 11 down onto the block 7. The pulling pressure of the nuts is maintained until the cable under said block becomes distorted and flattened somewhat, as indicated at 15. The cable is thus firmly clamped in place on the base 1, and a proper electrical contact between the base and said cable, and of course the permanently connected cable 6 as well, is assured.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as will substantially fulfill the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A connector for electric cables comprising a base, a socket on and rigid with the base for engagement with an end of one cable, a multi-sided block superimposed on the base intermediate its ends, the block having a substantially semi-circular saddle groove in each side intermediate the ends thereof, the grooves in said sides being all different sizes whereby the block may be turned to dispose any such groove in facing relation to the base to fit over another cable of corresponding size rested on the base, and means securing the block to the base and arranged to force the block toward the base so as to clamp said other cable against the base; said means comprising a U-bolt straddling the block and having legs slidably projecting through the base with nuts on the lower ends of the legs below the base and engaging the same; the block having a continuous peripheral groove thereabout intermediate its ends and disposed transversely of the first named grooves, said peripheral groove being shaped at the bottom to engage the under side of the outer portion of the U-bolt.

2. A connector, as in claim 1, in which the outer portion of the U-bolt is of semi-circular configuration and 5 the peripheral groove is of circular form at the bottom to fit the curvature of the U-bolt, the legs of the latter projecting sufliciently below the base to enable the U- bolt, when the nuts are loosened, to be lifted and the block turned relative to the base without becoming disengaged 10 from the U-bolt. i

UNITED STATES PATENTS Pawsat Nov. 12, Zehnder May 26, Borden Nov. 20, Bondeson Apr. 20, Dunaway Oct. 26, Jenne Aug. 17, West Jan. 13, Jenne June 30, Strobel Sept. 4, 

